More ground for medical hacks to trample into. What's next? Being addicted to living.

Why does everything have to have a disorder? That's such a negative attitude to stamp on people, who just enjoy something. I can understand it, if half the U.S gaming populous were doing WoW tournament playing, with no breaks for food, sleep and lav breaks, but that's not the case. The majority of gamers are responsible and manage their gaming and life well.

Gaming already gets enough negative press for next to no reason, and now this.

dont let my missus get wind of this......she'll have me in rehab before you can say "just one level!"

Joji-
The majority of people don't have cancer either, but you won't see me calling for all the medical hacks to stop their research into cures.

As a person with impulse control issues who is trying to deal with a son who is addicted to video games I think more reaserch is warrented. I don't think it is video games in exclusion that cause problems (cue Thompson!) but their effect on people needs to be studied more. Especially how they can pattern the mechanics and chemical balances in the brains of individuals, making it more likely for them to suffer through personal and social disorders. Especially if they are already susceptable.

Case in point, I love FPSs, after a good stretch of playing I find myself ready to F-anything that moves. Maybe others don't but that does not invalidate the way I feel.

I've drank plenty of alcohol in my life with no ill effects, but I have friends who have managed to drink themselves NEAR TO DEATH!

So yhea more reaserch is warrented and for those of you without issues. I thought I was you once. Right now I need to go and find some visene for my kids eyes. I don't think he has blinked in the last 30 minutes.

Before I get jumped all over for "Parental Involvement", I limit screen time to 30 minutes a day, 1 hour on weekend days. Kids are allowed to "bank" up to one weeks worth of time to play on the weekend but 30 min breaks are required every hour. Even with this I have seen my son justify some shady stuff. Like pausing the clock when it is a cut scene or configuring a characters stats. "Thats not actual playtime!". Reminds of those friends I mentioned above that could have "Just ONE drink with dinner".

Maybe my wife had it right....COLD TURKEY!

Thanks for the response, which seems fair enough. Research is good - certainly - and I am sure that a high-profile 'disorder' such as 'videogame addiction' is likely to attract the much needed stipend or grant.

However, "6. That our AMA strongly encourage the consideration and inclusion of "Internet/video game addiction" as a formal diagnostic disorder in the upcoming revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV. (Directive to Take Action)" appears to suggest that no matter what the research actually finds.

From my point of view (and boy have I got plenty of experience with un-popular and therefore under-funded research into childhood conditions, don't ask, too dull) this is a case of jumping on to a band wagon. This is especially the case as I can't recall - and have not read about - the AMA framing 'Television Addiction' as a formal diagnostic disorder - and the organisation has had more than half a century to deal with that one.

Looks like another neat way to get another Methylphenidate (Ritalin)-like 'medication' into the market. Aiming it at worried parents who, unlike yourself from the look of it, will fall back on the chemical club.

I know plenty of people who spend every waking hour talking about or watching (but rarely playing) football. Do these people need treatment. Do they need their interest reclassifying as an addiction?

This is (not very) like the laws that prevent us using phones (which are new, and threatening) but allow people to smoke (which is old and familiar) while driving.

C'mon, let's have one rule for all. Fine people for smoking-driving, and have people with hobbies other than video-games classified as nutters!